EVENT UPDATES

The 2018 World Series of Poker has crowned yet another bracelet winner at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino and it was Ognyan Dimov that took home the lion's share of the $2,245,050 prize pool and coveted gold bracelet in Event #17: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed.

Four former bracelet winners returned to the final table on the ESPN feature stage, but it was 2015 EPT Deauville Main Event champion Dimov that faced Antonio Barbato in an all-European heads-up. Both were supported by a boisterous rail and the Bulgarians ended up celebrating the third WSOP bracelet for their country, as Dimov followed in the footsteps of Nick Jivkov and Simeon Naydenov to claim his maiden bracelet and $378,743 for his efforts.

"I read up on all of the players. Of course, you don't expect to face bad players on the final table, that's what you expect, bracelet winners and big names in poker. I am not afraid of that," the Bulgarian said when asked about the stacked final table line-up.

Dimov was all smiles in the interview after his victory. "I tried to stay calm and felt good playing. Obviously, everyone saw that I ran pretty amazing, but you have to run like this to win a tournament. I can't complain."

Four-handed, Dimov pulled into a commanding lead after hero-calling against Ryan D'Angelo before sending all his remaining opponents to the rail.

"I got hands in the right moments and made one sick hero call when we were four-handed, which was like 15 minutes ago."

When asked about the clash with Nick Schulman shortly after, Dimov added the following.

"Well, it was pretty standard, I got lucky again."

While Dimov has just won his first bracelet, the Bulgarian already has an EPT title to his name. "I love it here, I came here (Las Vegas) two years ago for the first time and also last year and this year, and I hope to come back to play. I come here to win bracelets and I am really happy that it came true."

Dimov also confirmed that he will be playing the rest of the WSOP this summer and had a few remarks in jest for his Bulgarian rail, which ended up in a winner shot with two dozen countrymen.

"Well, that I am a really nice and good guy, everybody loves me. ... No, I am kidding, it is because they are really bad at poker and busted the Millionaire Maker (laughs). We are on the other side of the world and we are going to be a tight group and cheering for each other. Whoever was on the final table, the same people would appear and I really appreciate their help."

Before the event, his heads-up opponent Barbato had just shy of $38,000 in cashes on the live poker circuit and took home $233,992 for his efforts. Nick Schulman ended up third with fellow bracelet winners Ryan D'Angelo, Joey Weissman and Yue Du below him in the payouts.

Final Result Event #17: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed

Place

Winner

Country

Prize (in USD)

1

Ognyan Dimov

Bulgaria

$378,743

2

Antonio Barbato

Italy

$233,992

3

Nick Schulman

United States

$163,785

4

Ryan D'Angelo

United States

$116,118

5

Joey Weissman

United States

$83,396

6

Yue Du

China

$60,686

About the event:

The tournament created a field of 1,663 entries and 264 hopefuls bagged up after Day 1 with Bart Lybaert in the lead and the money bubble looming, as just the top 250 spots were paid. It took only 20 minutes on Day 2 to ensure a min-cash of $2,249, and from there on out, the eliminations kept coming at an electric pace and just 27 players bagged up.

The WSOP bracelet winners Adrian Buckley and Tristan Wade were among the first to depart on Day 3 and they were soon joined on the rail by Pierre Calamusa (13th, $19,469) and Hon Cheong Lee (12th, $25,342). After four casualties in half an hour including Day 1 chip leader Bart Lybaert (8th, $44,750), Day 3 came to an early end after just over six levels of play and the remaining six hopefuls including four WSOP bracelet winners and an EPT champion returned for an extra day to determine the champion.

Action on the Final Day

In the very first hand of the day, Yue Du defended his big blind against a button raise by Nick Schulman and check-shoved a jack-high turn with ace-deuce suited for the nut flush draw. Schulman called with king-jack for top pair and the river paired the board to eliminate Du in sixth place.

Start-of-day chip leader Joey Weissman had a rough first few levels and dropped to the bottom of the counts before he doubled through Schulman to get back into contention. Antonio Barbato doubled through Ognyan Dimov and Weissman sent over a big portion of his stack to Ryan D'Angelo before he hero-called a jam by Dimov on the river of a king-high board. Weissman was shown ten-four suited for a flush and his pocket queens ended up second-best to reduce the field to the final four with Dimov and D'Angelo at the top of the counts.

A failed bluff by D'Angelo vaulted Dimov into a commanding lead and he never looked back, sending all three remaining opponents to the rail in quick succession. In back-to-back hands, he claimed the stacks of D'Angelo and Schulman to enter heads-up with a 9-1 lead. D'Angelo lost a flip with pocket nines against king-jack, while Schulman's ace-ten was ahead of ace-eight until the river brought an eight to let the Bulgarian rail erupt in celebration.

The heads-up duel with Barbato lasted all but 16 hands and the Italian ended up moving all in for his last seven big blinds with ace-nine and Dimov called with king-six. A six on the flop and a king on the river sealed Barbato's fate and he couldn't pull off the miracle comeback.

That brings an end to the PokerNews live reporting for this event, but several other WSOP tournaments are already underway right now to determine another champion in Las Vegas.

Sunday, June 10, 2018 4:51 PM Local Time

Antonio Barbato Eliminated in 2nd Place ($233,992)

Down to his last 570,000, Antonio Barbato moved all in and Ognyan Dimov called to set up the showdown for the bracelet.

Antonio Barbato:
Ognyan Dimov:

The flop paired up DImov and both the Bulgarian and Italian rail started chanting for the next card to come in each favor. After the turn, Barbato picked up a gutshot, but the on the river was a blank for the Italian. Barbato was eliminated in 2nd place and takes home $233,992 for his efforts.

Dimov becomes the third WSOP bracelet winner for Bulgaria and a recap of today's action is to follow.

Ognyan Dimov

12,480,000

570,000

Antonio Barbato

0

-570,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 4:42 PM Local Time

Hand #86-92: Dimov Keeps the Pressure On

Hand #86: Ognyan Dimov called and Antonio Barbato checked. The flop came on which they both checked. The turn brought the and Barbato check-folded to the 75,000 bet of Dimov.

Hand #87: Dimov got a walk.

Hand #88: Dimov called and Barbato checked. The flop came on which they both checked to the on the turn. Barbato bet 80,000 and Dimov called. The river completed the board with the , Barbato checked. Dimov did the same. Barbato took the pot with for two pair, sevens and sixes.

Hand #89: Dimov got a walk.

Hand #90: Dimov put Barbato all-in and Barbato folded.

Hand #91: Dimov got a walk

Hand #92: Dimov shoved and Barbato folded.

Ognyan Dimov

11,910,000

240,000

Antonio Barbato

570,000

-240,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 4:37 PM Local Time

Level 30 started

Level:

30

Blinds:

40000/80000

Ante:

1000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 4:37 PM Local Time

Hands #83-85: Barbato Below a Million

Hand #83: Antonio Barbato limped in and Ognyan Dimov checked his option to see a flop of , Dimov checked and Barbato's bet of 60,000 was called. On the turn, Dimov quickly checked and Barbato made it 155,000 to go, which Dimov called. After the river both players checked.

Dimov showed the for a pair of eights and that won the pot, sending Barbato below a million.

Hand #84: A walk for Barbato.

Hand #85: Barbato limped in and Dimov raised it up to 200,000, forcing a fold from his opponent.

Ognyan Dimov

11,670,000

270,000

Antonio Barbato

810,000

-270,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 4:33 PM Local Time

Hand #78-82: Dimov Doesn't Back Down

Hand #78: Ognyan Dimov called on the button and Antonio Barbato checked. The flop came , Barbato check-folded to the 75,000 bet of Dimov.

Hand #80: Dimov called and Barbato checked. They both checked through the on the flop and the on the turn. The river completed the board with the , Barbato check-folded to the 75,000 bet of Dimov.

Hand #81: Barbato called and Dimov raised to 240,000. Barbato folded.

Hand #82: Dimov limped in and Barbato checked. The flop came on which they both checked. The turn brought them the , Barbato check-folded to the 75,000 bet of Dimov.

Ognyan Dimov

11,400,000

255,000

Antonio Barbato

1,080,000

-255,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 4:19 PM Local Time

Nick Schulman Eliminated in 3rd Place ($163,785)

Hand #77: Nick Schulman limped in from the small blind and Ognyan Dimov moved all in, Schulman called for 1,850,000.

Nick Schulman:
Ognyan Dimov:

The flop failed to improve Dimov, but he picked up some chop outs on the turn. Instead of a chop, Dimov got there with the on the river and Schulman was eliminated in 3rd place for $163,785. There will now be a short break to set up the duel for the WSOP bracelet.

Ognyan Dimov

11,145,000

1,965,000

Antonio Barbato

1,335,000

15,000

Nick Schulman

0

-1,860,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 4:16 PM Local Time

Ryan D'Angelo Eliminated in 4th Place ($116,118)

Hand #76: Ryan D'Angelo raised to 135,000 from the under-the-gun position. Dimov shoved which would put both Antonio Barbato, Nick Schulman or D'Angelo all-in. Barbato and Schulman quickly folded. D'Angelo called for the 1,890,000 he had in front of him.

Ryan D'Angelo:
Ognyan Dimov:

The board ran out to give Dimov two pair in the end to eliminate D'Angelo in fourth place for $116,118.

Ognyan Dimov

9,180,000

2,100,000

Nick Schulman

1,860,000

-120,000

Antonio Barbato

1,320,000

-60,000

Ryan D'Angelo

0

-1,980,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 4:11 PM Local Time

Hands #72-75: Dimov Wins Four in a Row to Pull Far Ahead

Hand #72: Ognyan Dimov made it 135,000 to go on the button and Antonio Barbato three-bet to 405,000 in the small blind. Dimov four-bet all in and Barbato snap-folded.

Hand #73: Dimov opened to 135,000 first to act and won the blinds and antes.

Hand #74: A walk for Dimov.

Hand #75: Ryan D'Angelo raised to 135,000 on the button and Dimov called in the small blind. The flop came and both players checked to see the on the turn. Dimov bet 175,000 and D'Angelo called, the duo headed to the river. Dimov checked and D'Angelo bet 1.2 million, prompting the Bulgarian to carefully study the board and his stack. Dimov called and D'Angelo showed the for a busted flush draw, Dimov claimed the pot with for a pair of kings to cement his spot at the top of the counts.

Ognyan Dimov

7,080,000

2,280,000

Ryan D'Angelo

1,980,000

-1,680,000

Nick Schulman

1,980,000

-120,000

Antonio Barbato

1,380,000

-480,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 4:03 PM Local Time

Hands #70-71: Barbato Doubles Through Dimov

Hand #70: Ryan D'Angelo completed his small blind and Ognyan Dimov opted to check. The flop came , D'Angelo checked, Dimov bet 60,000 and D'Angelo called. The turn brought them the on which they both checked to the on the river. D'Angelo bet 150,000. Dimov folded.

Hand #71: Dimov completed the small blind, Antonio Barbato shoved for 925,000 in total in the big blind and Dimov snap-called.

Antonio Barbato:
Ognyan Dimov:

The flop came to give Dimov a set of tens and Barbato a gutshot straight draw.

The on the turn was just what Barbato ordered. Dimov now needed another ten or the board to pair to take Barbato out.

The on the river completed the board and Barbato doubled up.

Ognyan Dimov

4,800,000

-1,020,000

Ryan D'Angelo

3,660,000

180,000

Nick Schulman

2,100,000

0

Antonio Barbato

1,860,000

915,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 3:54 PM Local Time

Hands #67-69: Four-Bet by Dimov; Schulman Flushes D'Angelo

Hand #67: First to act, Nick Schulman raised it up to 130,000 and Ryan D'Angelo three-bet to 400,000 on the button. Ognyan Dimov four-bet to 1,100,000 in the small blind and that ended up forcing folds all around to let the rich get richer.

Hand #68: D'Angelo made it 135,000 to go and Antonio Barbato in the small blind three-bet to 405,000, which prompted a call from D'Angelo. The flop came and Barbato quickly continued for 330,000, D'Angelo moved all in and Barbato snap-folded to drop below a million.

Hand #69: Schulman limped in from the small blind and D'Angelo raised it up to 185,000, Schulman called. On the flop, Schulman checked and D'Angelo made it 125,000 to go, which Schulman called. After the turn, Schulman checked once more and D'Angelo checked behind.

The river brought a four card flush and Schulman now took the betting lead, making it 150,000 to go. D'Angelo called and mucked when he was shown the for a king-high flush by Schulman.

Ognyan Dimov

5,820,000

600,000

Ryan D'Angelo

3,480,000

-60,000

Nick Schulman

2,100,000

300,000

Antonio Barbato

945,000

-795,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 3:42 PM Local Time

Hand #63-66: Dimov Dominating

Hand #63: Ryan D'Angelo raised to 135,000 from the button and the rest folded.

Hand #64: Ognyan Dimov raised to 135,000 from the button and Nick Schulman called in the big blind. The flop came and both players checked to the on the turn. They both checked again to the on the river. Schulman bet 80,000 and Dimov raised to 375,000. Schulman gave his hand up.

Hand #65: Schulman completed the small blind and D'Angelo opted to check his big blind. The flop came , Schulman bet 60,000 and D'Angelo folded.

Hand #66: D'Angelo completed his small blind and Dimov raised to 210,000 from the big blind. D'Angelo called. The flop came , D'Angelo check-called the 130,000 bet of Dimov. The turn brought them the , D'Angelo checked again. Dimov bet 525,000 and D'Angelo quickly folded.

Ognyan Dimov

5,220,000

545,000

Ryan D'Angelo

3,540,000

-355,000

Nick Schulman

1,800,000

-210,000

Antonio Barbato

1,740,000

-160,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 3:28 PM Local Time

Level 29 started

Level:

29

Blinds:

30000/60000

Ante:

10000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 3:18 PM Local Time

Joey Weissman Eliminated in 5th Place ($83,396)

Hand #62: Joey Weissman raised to 105,000 from the cutoff. Ognyan Dimov called in the big blind.

The flop came , Dimov checked. Weissman continued with a bet of 110,000 and Dimov called.

The turn brought them the , both Dimov and Weissman checked.

The river completed the board with the , Dimov checked for the last time. Weissman bet 250,000. Dimov glanced at Weissman and the board while going through his options in his head. Dimov shoved which put Weissman all-in. Weissman tanked while the other players left the table as the break had started. Weissman huffed and puffed a few times. After almost four minutes, Weissman called.

Dimov tabled for the flush and Weissman held for the pair of queens which wasn't good enough. Dimov's rail loudly cheered and Weissman defeatedly walked towards his rail for support. Weissman finished in 5th place for $83,396.

Dimov joined the other players for their second 15-minute break of the day.

Hand #58: Ryan D'Angelo raised to 110,000 on the button and won the blinds and antes.

Hand #59: Ognyan Dimov raised to 110,000 and Antonio Barbato jammed in the small blind for 1,015,000. Dimov asked for a count, and called after plenty of consideration.

Antonio Barbato:
Ognyan Dimov:

Barbato was ahead and flopped a full house on the board of to double.

Hand #60: Barbato made it 105,000 to go on the button and Nick Schulman called out of the big blind. The flop came and Schulman checked, then faced a bet of 85,000 by Barbato. Schulman called and the duo headed to the turn, which prompted another check by Schulman and a check by Barbato. The river triggered a bet worth 130,000 by Schulman and Barbato folded.

Hand #61: Joey Weissman made it 105,000 to go from the button and picked up a call by D'Angelo in the big blind. The flop fell, D'Angelo checked and Weissman bet 80,000, D'Angelo called. After the turn, D'Angelo checked once more and Weissman made it 280,000, a call followed.

The on the river brought a check by D'Angelo and Weissman bet 600,000, a snap-call followed and Weissman showed for two pair. D'Angelo had that beat with for a flush and jumped into the lead with five players remaining.

Ryan D'Angelo

3,900,000

1,200,000

Nick Schulman

2,000,000

200,000

Antonio Barbato

1,900,000

850,000

Joey Weissman

1,550,000

-1,150,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 2:51 PM Local Time

Hand #53-57: Schulman Climbs Up

Hand #53: Ognyan Dimov completed his small blind and Antonio Barbato opted to check his big blind. They both checked through the whole board. Dimov tabled for the pot as Barbato mucked.

Hand #54: Dimov raised to 110,000 from the button and Joey Weissman three-bet to 390,000 from the big blind and Dimov folded.

Hand #55: Weissman raised to 175,000 from the small blind. Nick Schulman called in the big blind. The flop came , Weissman bet 185,000, Schulman shoved for 1,100,000 and Weissman quickly folded.

Hand #56: Schulman completed the small blind, Ryan D'Angelo raised to 150,000 in the big blind. Schulman shoved for 1,650,000 and D'Angelo grimaced and then folded.

Hand #48: Ognyan Dimov limped in from the small blind and Antonio Barbato raised to 175,000 in the big blind, which Dimov called. The flop came and Dimov checked, Barbato continued for 130,000 and Dimov called. The on the turn went check, check, and the river brought a bet of 300,000 by DImov. Barbato called and mucked when Dimov flashed the for top pair.

Hand #49: Nick Schulman raised to 105,000 first to act and Dimov called on the button. On a flop of , Schulman checked and Dimov made it 85,000 to go. Schulman called, which brought the on the turn. Schulman bet 200,000 and Dimov called, the fell on the river.

Schulman moved all in for 720,000 and Dimov sent his cards into the muck.

Hand #50: Joey Weissman raised to 175,000 out of the small blind and Schulman called in the big blind. The flop came and Weissman bet 100,000, Schulman called. After the turn, both players checked and the fell on the river. Both players checked and Weissman claimed the pot with the for top pair.

Hand #51: Dimov raised to 110,000 and won the blinds and antes.

Hand #52: Ryan D'Angelo limped the small blind, Dimov raised to 175,000 and that ended the hand right there.

Ognyan Dimov

4,200,000

350,000

Ryan D'Angelo

2,900,000

-150,000

Joey Weissman

2,700,000

200,000

Nick Schulman

1,250,000

150,000

Antonio Barbato

1,200,000

-700,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 2:22 PM Local Time

Hand #43-47: A Bit For Schulman

Hand #43: Nick Schulman raised to 85,000 from the cutoff and Antonio Barbato called in the big blind. The flop came , Barbato check-folded to the 50,000 bet of Schulman.

Hand #44: Schulman shoved from the under-the-gun position for 885,000 in total and everyone folded.

Hand #45: Joey Weissman completed his small blind and Schulman opted to check. The flop came on which both players checked to the on the turn. They both checked again. The on the river completed the board and they both checked once more. Schulman took the pot with for the flopped pair of sevens.

Hand #46: Schulman completed his small blind and D'Angelo checked. The flop came . Both players checked to the on the turn and then checked again. The on the river completed the board. Schulman bet 50,000 and D'Angelo folded.

Hand #47: Weismann raised to 105,000 from the cutoff and only Ognyan Dimov called in the big blind. The flop came , Dimov checked, Weissman continued with a bet of 165,000 and Dimov folded immediately.

Ognyan Dimov

3,850,000

-200,000

Ryan D'Angelo

3,050,000

-70,000

Joey Weissman

2,500,000

20,000

Antonio Barbato

1,900,000

-140,000

Nick Schulman

1,100,000

330,000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 2:11 PM Local Time

Level 28 started

Level:

28

Blinds:

25000/50000

Ante:

5000

Sunday, June 10, 2018 2:10 PM Local Time

Hands #38-42: Schulman on 19 Big Blinds

Hand #38: Ryan D'Angelo raised to 90,00 on the button and that won the blinds and antes.

Hand #39: Nick Schulman made it 85,000 to go and raked in the blinds and antes uncontested.

Hand #40: Ognyan Dimov raised to 90,000 in the cutoff and Schulman called out of the big blind. The flop fell and Schulman checked, Dimov made it 75,000 to go and Schulman came along to see the on the turn. Both players opted to check and the on the river completed the board. Schulman checked and Dimov bet 225,000, which won the pot without resistance.

Hand #41: Schulman limped in from the small blind and D'Angelo in the big blind raised to 125,000, ending the hand right there.

Hand #42: Antonio Barbato raised to 85,000 first to act and Joey Weissman three-bet to 270,000 from one seat over. All opponents folded and Weissman claimed the pot uncontested.

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